Microbiology graduate jailed 7-yr for selling fake drugs

A Lagos Federal High Court, presided over by Justice (Professor) Chuka Obiozor yesterday, sentenced a 40-years-old woman, and graduate of Microbiology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a postgraduate student of Mass Communication Clara Onah, to a term of seven years imprisonment over sale of fake drugs.
The convict residing at No 12, Mosalashi St., Alagbado Lagos, was arraigned by the National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on February 12, on a five count charge bordering on possession and sale of fake drugs.
She had pleaded guilty to the charge.
Following her plea, the trial judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor had ordered her remand in prison custody, and had adjourned for a review of facts.
Delivering his judgment on Wednesday, Justice Obiozor, found her guilty of the offence, and accordingly convicted her.
“I will give the accused a second chance, but note that all those who died as a result of the ingestion of the fake drug, have no second chance.
“The convict is sentenced to a term of seven years imprisonment on counts one to four, and is sentenced to pay a fine of N50,000 on count five.
“She is to be jailed at the women wing of the Kirikiri Maximum prison, and the term of imprisonment shall run concurrently from January 26.
“The prosecution shall hold on to the exhibits, and destroy same after the expiration of the time for appeal,” he held.
Reviewing the facts of the case, the prosecutor had tendered before the court, seven different statements made by the convict to the Agency, as well as a bulk of the fake drug substance.
Umar had informed the court that the convict deceived officials of the Agency, by telling them that the fake drugs were being manufactured under the bridge in Ota.
He said that the convict took a team of investigating officers from NAFDAC, on a fruitless journey in search of an alleged manufacturing company when in fact she was the sole manufacturer of the fake drugs.
He said that among the items recovered from the convict was a weighing machine as well as several fake drug substances.
During allocutus (mercy plea) the convict had shed tears and begged the court to afford her a second chance.
She had informed the court that she was a graduate of microbiology, who emerged with a second class upper division (2:1) adding that she would never engage in such acts again if pardoned.
At the sight of her tears, the judge had ordered her to “stop those crocodile tears” for she was very much aware of her act.
In the charge, the accused was said to have committed the offence on January, 26.
She was said to have engaged in the manufacture and sale of fake brand of 200 mg of Amazon Amagyl Metronidazole tablets to members of the public.
He said that the offences contravened the provisions of section 1(1) (a), 3, and 3 (1) of the Counterfeit and fake Drugs Unwholesome processed Foods, (Miscellanous Provision) Act Cap 34, Laws of the Federation, 2004.